After Sola reveals the truth of her birth and her connection to Tars Tarkas, John Carter and his companions attempt to escape but are recaptured, and Carter is taken by the Warhoons, where he survives deadly arena combat before making his way toward Zodanga in search of Dejah Thoris. Disguising himself as an aerial scout, he eventually finds Dejah, reunites with Tars Tarkas, rallies the Tharks, and helps overthrow Zodanga and save Helium, allowing his love for Dejah to reach its long-awaited fulfillment. Their happiness is shattered when the atmosphere plant that sustains life on Barsoom fails, and after Carter struggles to restore it he loses consciousness and awakens once more in the Arizona cave, separated from Dejah and left uncertain whether Mars and the woman he loves have survived.
